Azusa Police Officer Shot During Officer-Involved Shooting

AZUSA (CBSLA) — An Azusa Police Department officer was shot during an officer-involved shooting of the 1000 block of West Gladstone Street.

According to the Azusa Deputy City Manager, the male officer was taken to a local hospital. He is stable and expected to recover. The male suspect involved in the shooting is dead.

"This is a mix of residential and commercial areas, said Captain Robert Landeros. "There are multiple criminal incidents that occur ranging from stolen cars to robberies but something like this where an officer gets struck is very rare. I've not seen it in my city in the course of my career."

According to police, the officers first responded to the area after reports of a stolen car. When investigators found the car the suspect, who was close by, attempted to run away before a struggle. During the scuffle, the man pulled out a handgun and exchanged fire with an Azusa police officer. Both the officer and the suspect were hit. The suspect was declared dead at the scene. The handgun was recovered.

"Sure enough I heard like a good almost eight shots if not more just really loud and obviously we're really close to it so it's just nerve-racking, that it's right there — live shots " said witness Emanuel Flores.

Crews responded to the location at about 4:05 p.m. after receiving a medical call, according to Los Angeles County Fire Department.

A woman who was found in the stolen car was also apprehended.

Per standard procedure, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department is handling the investigation of the officer-involved shooting.